Dream of the Red Chamber: Daiyu and I swapped clothes

Chapter 13: A Plan That Shocked Everyone
"Was the Second Young Master's previous纨绔 (playboy/spoiled brat) demeanor really just an act? When did he learn this skill of reading accounts and even become versed in numerology? He sorted out these details perfectly in just half an incense stick's time. Have I been misjudging him all this time?"

The finance clerk, Zhao Yiming, looked up at the Marquis of Zhenyuan sitting above him, but the Marquis of Zhenyuan's expression showed no less astonishment than his.

His knuckles cracked as he gripped the teacup tightly, his body leaned forward unnaturally, and his eyelids twitched slightly.

Li Chen then walked to the center of the three people, bowed, and asked, "Father, is the situation different from what I told you?"

Although Li Chen had not yet revealed a solution, his ability to analyze the problem so clearly based solely on the accounts had already impressed the three people present.

Even the Marquis of Zhenyuan himself couldn't help but treat his youngest son with special regard.

Recently, his youngest son, whom he considered a burden on the family, has been giving him a series of surprises.

"Mostly correct. Chen'er, do you... have any good ideas?"

Upon hearing this, even the Marquis of Zhenyuan felt something was amiss. He, as a father, was actually seeking advice from his son, who hadn't yet reached adulthood. The officialdom was a treacherous place; how much could a young man like him possibly know?

Yet, he still harbored a strange expectation.

Looking around, he realized that Zhao Yiming and Xing Bingcheng had both turned their gazes toward Li Chen, and he wasn't the only one harboring such thoughts.

Then, Li Chen nodded slightly, pretending to ponder, and slowly said, "The embezzlement of military supplies was done by the steward of the manor. Father is not without responsibility. It is not appropriate to report this matter directly to the authorities."

"Therefore, in my opinion, Father can announce to the outside world that the weather this year is much colder than usual, and the Zhenyuan Marquis's Mansion has advanced funds to fill the cotton wadding for this batch of winter clothes. Therefore, the clothes are returned to the workshop for rework, and the delivery date to the military camp is postponed."

Marquis Zhenyuan frowned in thought, believing it to be a stopgap measure that could be delayed. The problems within the manor remained unresolved, and now a large sum of money was being added unnecessarily, a considerable burden on the current Marquis's residence.

"Chen'er, do you know how much silver the manor will have to spend to plug this hole even if we fill it with 20% more cotton?"

Li Chen picked up the abacus again, turned it a few times, and said in a clear voice, "Five thousand winter clothes, with an extra 20% of cotton filling, the total extra filling is actually 60%. Nowadays, the price of cotton filling is not low. If the fabric of the winter clothes is still usable, and taking into account the labor cost, each set of cotton clothes will require at least one tael of silver to be added, which is roughly more than five thousand taels."

"Five thousand taels is no small sum. All it has gained is a good reputation, but this scourge must be eliminated."

"Father, don't rush, I haven't finished speaking yet."

The two people below turned to look at Marquis Zhenyuan. Marquis Zhenyuan's face flushed slightly, and he couldn't help but pick up his teacup to cover it.

Li Chen couldn't help but chuckle and said, "I wonder if Father has noticed something? The offer of two and a half taels of silver can be reduced to one and eight taels. That's obviously impossible. If any censor notices this and reports it, Father will be unable to cover it up."

"This is clearly a trap. Once the cotton-padded clothes are delivered, someone will definitely make trouble for my Zhenyuan Marquis's mansion in the imperial court."

The Marquis of Zhenyuan's expression changed slightly. "You mean, someone deliberately framed this?"

Li Chen nodded. "That's probably it. So, we shouldn't punish the old steward. Instead, Father should comfort him and find a good excuse for him that he was deceived by the merchants. And give him another, more important task: the military warehouse will definitely need to be inspected and replenished before the New Year. The money that can be made from this is much more than that from winter clothes. Let's see if those who are plotting against the Zhenyuan Marquis's mansion dare to do it."

"This time we lured you into a trap, taking advantage of your unpreparedness. If we can obtain evidence, along with the winter clothes this time, we can convict you of both crimes and completely clear your name."

Before Marquis Zhenyuan could speak, Zhao Yiming, the finance clerk, stood up from his seat, cupped his hands, and said, "Congratulations, Marquis. The young master is well-versed in human affairs and has a brilliant plan. He is truly a prodigy. There is absolutely no better solution to this matter. I am willing to accompany Steward Qiu to purchase and inspect military equipment and secretly investigate whether he is conspiring with others."

Before he could finish speaking, Li Chen interrupted, "Master Zhao, this is not a good idea. If Steward Qiu really has an accomplice, he will definitely feel guilty about the rework of the winter clothes. If you are accompanying him, you will certainly be on guard, wondering if Father sent him to monitor him. In my opinion..."

Li Chen gestured to the side, pointing to the tutor, Xing Bingcheng, who had been watching him with admiration. "Mr. Xing has never interacted with Steward Qiu and knows very little about the affairs of the manor, making it easier for him to lower his guard. Therefore, I suggest that Mr. Xing travel with Steward Qiu." The idea came from Li Chen, and the pros and cons were easy to weigh. The Marquis of Zhenyuan was certainly not a fool, but the tutor could not be ordered around at will, so he couldn't help but ask Xing Bingcheng for his opinion.

"Sir, what do you think?"

Xing Bingcheng was able to enter this hall for discussion because he was willing to serve. Now that there were matters to attend to, he would not shirk his responsibilities. However, he still couldn't help but say with concern, "Young Master's health has just recovered, and it is the time for him to teach. This trip will probably take several days, which will delay his studies. He will probably be less confident in next year's county examination."

Seeing that Xing Bingcheng hadn't completely refused, Li Chen quickly offered a way out, "If you're worried, sir, you can leave me more homework to do, and I'll check it when I get back. It'll also be a good test of my knowledge level, wouldn't that be more comprehensive than the last interview?"

"That makes sense, then let's leave a few articles."

"Teacher, there's no need to strive for perfection. For me, the more assignments the better. Even if I don't finish them, there will be more questions for you to refer to, won't there?"

Looking at his well-behaved and sensible youngest son, the Marquis of Zhenyuan couldn't help but feel a surge of emotion.

"Okay, it's settled then. Thank you for your help, Mr. Xing."

Xing Bingcheng bowed and accepted, "Your Excellency is too kind. I will certainly do my best."

After receiving the order, Xing Bingcheng withdrew first and went back to his room to prepare homework for Li Chen.

In the hall, Marquis Zhenyuan considered another matter, "Since Mr. Xing is going out of the manor, then Yiming, you need to keep an eye on the matter of adding cotton padding to his winter clothes. It would be best if the price could be lowered."

Zhao Yiming pulled out a visiting card from his sleeve. “It’s quite a coincidence. The Xue family from Jinling sent a visiting card today, but I haven’t had a chance to present it to you, my lord. The Xue family’s Feng brand started as a money exchange and pawnshop, but they also have a business of buying and selling goods. If they are interested in making friends with you, they might be able to offer you a fairer price.”

Li Chen couldn't help but be secretly surprised. "The Xue family? They're living comfortably in the Rongguo Mansion, so why are they trying to get involved with the Zhenyuan Marquis's Mansion? Could they be plotting something? When I return to the Rongguo Mansion, I'll definitely have to investigate this thoroughly."

Li Chen rolled his eyes and pursed his lips, secretly thinking, "Xue Baochai, I originally wanted to save you. If your Xue family tries to take advantage of me, don't blame me for turning against you first."

"Young master, you have truly impressed everyone today. I think you might very well pass the county examination next year."

The two people in front of the hall seemed to have finished their discussion.

Zhao Yiming came to his side and patted Li Chen's back a few times. It was just a few light pats, but it made Li Chen cough and sneeze, which made Zhao Yiming's expression tighten.

"Young master, you should go back and recuperate. You can put your studies aside for now. With such the ability to distinguish right from wrong and to strategize, you can still thrive even if you achieve fame and success a few years later."

Marquis Zhenyuan awoke from his jumbled thoughts and, seeing this, put on his strict fatherly demeanor once again.

"Look at you, so frail and weak, how can you be a man? Even if you want to pursue literature, the imperial examinations take several days and nights. If your body is not strong enough, how can you pass the exams? My Zhenyuan Marquis's family is a military family, how did we raise such a sickly person like you?"

"Tomorrow, put the stone lock from the training room into your room. You must practice your body every day without fail. Even if you can't fight on the battlefield like your brother, you can't be as useless as you are today."

Li Chen agreed without refutation.

Once outside the hall, he shrugged, thinking to himself, "It's all because of that Lin Daiyu who mistreated my body. She eats like a rabbit every day, so where did I get the strength? Now it's good that Lin Daiyu gets a workout too."

(End of this chapter)